Department of Defense Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Anton T. Semelroth provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak at the Pentagon to reaffirm the close bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Poland. The two leaders discussed the importance of the transatlantic alliance, the security situation along NATO’s Eastern Flank, and ways to enhance the already substantial defense cooperation efforts between the U.S. and Poland.
The Secretary commended Minister Błaszczak on Poland’s commitment to responsibility sharing, as exemplified in the 2020 U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which supports the robust rotational presence of U.S. forces in Poland to bolster NATO security and regional stability. He also recognized Poland’s efforts to develop its defense capabilities, including Poland’s recent request to purchase M1A2 Abrams tanks. The leaders agreed to work closely together to strengthen the transatlantic relationship.